Middle-Mile Networks

The Digital Economy Enabler in Rural America

Living in rural areas offers natural advantages such as beautiful scenery, low pollution, peace, and tranquility: great ingredients for a healthy lifestyle. However, rural areas in the United States often have limited access to high-bandwidth internet reducing opportunities for the population to participate and succeed in the digital economy. As the Covid pandemic demonstrated, the lack of telecommunication and access to network infrastructure in rural areas has negative consequences on the economy, education, and health of the population.

• Multiple drivers that are increasing bandwidth usage across the service provider network.
• Relevant optical technologies required to support the estimated traffic growth and to facilitate the needed expansion of the middle mile network.